Families in Mourning Demand Answers After New Year's Tragedy in New Orleans**

In the wake of a New Year's Eve tragedy in New Orleans, families of the victims grapple with their loss while seeking answers from authorities, questioning the circumstances and lack of communication surrounding the attack.**

Two families in New Orleans are reeling from the loss of loved ones tragically killed in a New Year's Eve attack. Jack Bech, who lost his brother Martin - known affectionately as "Tiger" - and Matthew Tenedorio's family are now united in grief as they demand clarity regarding the events that unfolded that night.

The two brothers had hoped for a joyful conversation before the clock struck twelve, but it turned into a last goodbye. Jack, who was visiting family in Dallas, recalls how he was sharing his evening meal with Martin. "We just thought it was going to be another conversation," he reflected. Little did they know that their last interaction would be filled with laughter before tragedy struck. Martin, alongside 13 others, lost his life when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove his pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, before dying in a shootout with police. Authorities initially labeled Jabbar’s actions as motivated by a claim of allegiance to the Islamic State.

The Bech family from Lafayette will forever feel the void left by Martin's untimely death. Jack expressed the emotional weight they'll carry moving forward. "Every holiday, there's going to be an empty seat at the table," he lamented. Yet he tried to find solace in memories of his brother as someone who would encourage resilience and togetherness in the face of adversity.

Meanwhile, Matthew Tenedorio, a 25-year-old audio-visual technician, ventured into New Orleans despite his family's concerns. His cousin, Christina Bounds, recounted how the family had begged him not to go amidst fears of potential dangers in the crowds. After hearing the distressing news, pent-up anguish turned to frustration due to the lack of information from local authorities regarding Matthew’s fate. "There has been no information from doctors, hospitals, or cops. Nobody," she revealed, reflecting on the pain of uncertainty compounded by their tragic loss.

The family launched a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses, making it clear that dealing with their grief is compounded by their worries about paying for an expensive ceremony, especially considering the recent medical bills incurred during Matthew's mother's cancer treatment.

Zach Colgan, another relative, expressed a desire to focus on the victims rather than the details surrounding law enforcement's response. "It'd be nice to know a little bit more," he said, as he joined the chorus of families arguing that "no one deserves this" tragedy. The collective demands for answers underscore the urgent need for clarity in the wake of shattered lives and a haunting sense of unresolved grief.